WE had the privilege of meeting 19-year-old Mathew Sygal So from Marikina City, who is one of the 55 contestants for Mister International Philippines 2023.
Mathew met members of media at Bulbasaur Secret Garden in Marikina City last weekend where he spoke about his journey to the ongoing pageant and his plans for the future.
Currently, Mathew is an undergraduate junior student of Ateneo de Manila University taking up BS Management Engineering. For him, his education comes first and foremost.
“As I aspire to be a business consultant and entrepreneur someday, I take my academics seriously and assume leadership roles that can boost my skills towards it,” said the 5-foot-10 looker in a voice that is all at once confidently loud and clear and adamant.
Mathew has taken up leadership roles such as project manager of the Ateneo Challenge for Transformational Sustainability (ACTS) and junior associate for externals within the previous year.
He is also part of AIESEC, an esteemed organization that lives out core competencies of youth leadership and cultural understanding,
Founded in 1948, AIESEC, which stands for the French name “Association Internationale des í‰tudiants en Sciences í‰conomiques et Commerciales“ (in English: International Association of Students in Economics and Commercial Sciences) is a global platform for young people to develop their leadership potential through practical experiences of many kinds, including internships, volunteering opportunities, and more.
Looking back at his high school tenure, he was able to receive the Xavier School Magis Award and was a lead in multiple events.
On the side, Mathew serves the Lord by volunteering in the Xavier Days with the Lord, a community that fosters brotherhood and upholds the values of Christianity. He also tries to keep an active lifestyle by playing football and badminton, among other sports.
Beyond this, he is an ambassador for several institutions and companies like National Counsel on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Slimmer’s World Ali Mall, C-Point, and Konzept Shoes.
In fact, Mathew was joined by the victorious Philippine chess team, together with playing coach James Infiesto, who competed at the ASEAN Para Games 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and hauled 13 golds, 7 silvers and 15 bronze medals to become the biggest contributor from a single sport to the total harvest of 34-33-50 medals of the Philippines, its most successful stint ever in the biennial games.
NCDA’s executive director Joniro “Don” F. Fradejas and other officials also attended the press con to support So’s journey to the international pageant.
With his heartthrob looks, Mathew is also considering a career in showbiz, particularly hosting, his role model being fellow Atenean and sought-after host Robi Domingo.
A young man of character, Mathew is definitely someone to look out for at the Mister International Philippines 2023 grand finale at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on June 28, 2023.
